Charles Fank 1935-2014

February 6, 2014

A Mass of Christian Burial for Charles Fank of Emmetsburg is 10:30 a.m. today, Thursday, Feb. 6, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg. Burial is in St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Emmetsburg. The Joyce Funeral Home in Emmetsburg is in charge of arrangements.

Charles (Chuck) Fank was born Nov. 3, 1935, the son of Carl and Claribel (Steven) Fank in their home at Crystal Lake. On Feb. 2, 2014, Chuck passed away of cardiac arrest at his home in Emmetsburg on Super Bowl Sunday, just as his father did in 1967, also on Super Bowl Sunday.

Charles attended country school at Forest City and he moved to Emmetsburg in 1942, where he graduated from the 8th grade country school, before his graduation from Emmetsburg High School in 1954. In January, 1955, he volunteered for the Army, and on April 12, 1955, while on leave, he and Marilyn Myers were married in Emmetsburg at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Upon being awarded an honorable discharge from the military in 1957, they started farming in the Emmetsburg area through 1989.

During this time, he and Marilyn adopted two children: Tim and Kris. Following farming, Chuck worked at several jobs, such as the Boys' Ranch in Fort Dodge and later, Graettinger. He was manager of Emmetsburg Grain, the Cylinder Elevator, and he worked at Kerber Milling Company until March of 2013.

Chuck was a member of Holy Family Parish, and he was past-Grand Knight of the Knight's of Columbus. He loved farming and gardening. He was an avid outdoorsman, and he enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Marilyn of Emmetsburg; son, Tim (Christy Hartley) of Tuscaloosa, AL; daughter, Kris of Lawrenceville, GA; his mother, Claribel Fank of Emmetsburg; three grandchildren, Bryan, Tyler and Taylor Fank; sister, Louise (Miron) Jenness of Wayne, NE and a brother, Nick (Kathy) Fank of Emmetsburg; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.